Saint-Estèphe Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Just entering its drinking window. It has 40 years ahead of it. Excellent with Ribcap from Costco.

Interesting that there are some vegetable notes on the nose.

Very good evolution. Medium plus tannins. Juicy, ripe blackberries, black raspberries, darkest cherries, black plum/ with skin, ripe strawberries, some blue fruit hues, cedar, black licorice/cola, dark rich earth w/ leaves, sandstone, steeped sun tea, light limestone powder, ripe, light, dark spice, clove, light cinnamon, hints of nutmeg, vanillin, moist volcanic clay, fresh red, dark flowers, framed in violets, round acidity with polish/balance, softly tensioned, elegant that falls on mineral & clay that lasts two-minutes.

Served blind alongside what was eventually revealed to be a 1997 Freemark Abbey. This was the easiest of the pairings to get our heads collectively around as we felt confident this was Bordeaux and the other was from Napa. Unfortunately, I no longer have my notes for that wine but this was particularly memorable because I had held back a glass of the 1970 Montrose and had a lovely time tasting the two of those wines side-by-side. It was remarkable how much they had in common with one another. In fact, the only real difference between the two was that the 2000 just had more of its structure in tact. Other than that, the Montrose DNA was undeniable with loads of all the darkest, blackest fruits: currants and blackberries with coffee, tobacco, and graphite. At nearly 23 years young, the structure remains positively monumental. Despite all of that, it was ever so winsome. The finish was long with wonderful acid and lovely, ferrous minerals. Drink now with patience and over the next handful of decades.

Intense, dense, dark, inky. Dark fruit. Tightly wound. Lead pencil, dark plum, iron. Tightly coiled, to young but good stuff.

Deep and brooding and wonderful.

Needs 30 minutes in the decanter. Great bottle!

Dense and velvety in texture. Coats the palate with black currants and black cherries evolving into flavors of granite and tobacco. Tannins are fine and integrated with excellent structure.

Lovely and plush. Tannins softened with a long decant. Leather and iron with great depth and balance. Wonderful stuff

Firing from the 375ml

Dark black cherry, ripe/tart, smooth tannin, med + acid...long finish..could even go 5-10 more years..

#steakandclaret night for belated Father's Day. This wine was made perfectly, with massive richness and texture married perfectly to great lift. Currant like, mineral Cabernet at its best- but St. Estephe? I struggled to find it. Regardless, a great bottle that went ideally with grilled ribeye.